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name
SOWARD, James Earl - Date of
birth
23 June 1920 -
Age
23 - Place of
birth
Farris, Atoka County, Oklahoma -
Hometown
San Diego, San Diego County, California
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
39249910 -
Rank
Technical Sergeant -
Function
Radio Operator/Gunner -
Unit
548th Bombardment Squadron,
385th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Missing in Action - Date of
death
26 July 1943 - Place of
death
North Sea, off the East Frisian Islands, 35 miles off the nearest land, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten - Walls of the Missing
Immediate family
-
Members
William E. Soward (father)
Lula D. (Johnson) Soward (mother)
Dewey L. Soward (brother)
Joseph Soward (brother)
Ead W. Soward (brother)
Ruby Soward (sister)
Allene Soward (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-30281 -
Data
Type: B-17F
Destination: Hannover, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the city
MACR: 191
More information
T/Sgt James E. Soward worked in an aircraft factory before he enlisted in Los Angeles, California, on 27 July 1942.The plane blew up before hitting the water. It had been on fire and seemed to be trying to ditch. No parachutes were reported from this plane.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, Peter Schouteten, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.fold3.com, www.ancestry.com
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Susan Peeler